Bienvenue Chez Nous!

The Kitchen -- no really!

My sweet husband, Cachou (our puppy) and I live in a small studio apartment near downtown Bordeaux.It has taken some getting use to, since our apartment is the size of my former walk-in closet in The States, still it's Home Sweet Home!

A homemade wedding gift from a close friend of ours!

There has been loads of love, fun and yes, frustration within this small space!It's all good though.

In fact, Chez Fab has hosted several fêtes with 10 people fitting comfortably in our sweet studio! Ohhh la la!

The French love to eat and talk!

I would like to give you a quick little tour of our kitchen and perhaps some small space decorating tips. Everything in France is small, (compared to The States) so not having elbow room comes with the territory.The key to decorating a small space is ORGANIZATION and THE RULE! The rule is this: Before I bring something in, at least 3 things have to go out! I have been so much better at this, well, because I have no choice or space!

bay leaf wreath that I use for cooking!

In practically every French house, there is the national symbol of Le Coq! When in France, do as the French!

These are all gifts from good friends!

You are unable to see the label on the wine bottle, however, it has my family name written on it!

Life in France starts with a strong espresso! One of my favorite items in my home!

I love these little pots! I serve dessert, soup, and fruit in them, but the big one hold sugar cubes for my morning coffee!

This song makes me want to join a GAGA biker gang!

This song is my theme song!

This song makes me want to dance a Samba!

Tomato, Feta & Olivesalad! Miam - Yum - Nom

Ingredients: ripe tomatoes, fresh feta cheese, green olivesExtra: salt and pepper for tasteDressing: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustardNeeded: small drinking glass and spoon for mixing dressingPour a cap full of oil and vinegar together, then add a dollop of mustard and stir, mix, whip, and taste, taste, taste until it is to your liking!

Instructions1. Cut tomatoes in slices and arrange on a plate 2. cut feta cheese in small bite sized pieces3. cut olives in half and arrange on top of tomato slices4. pour dressing on top 5. ENJOY! As you can see, I added a ripe avocado to the salad, just for good measure!

Living overseas...

La France - évidemment! France - obviously!

I am often asked, what it it really like living in France? I am unsure how to really answer the question. I can shoot off cliché one-word answers until I turn blue in the face -- nice, hard, simple, annoying, fabulous -- see what I mean. Lately, I have been reading one toooo many inspirational posts either on Facebook or on international 'news' websites. And before I also submit to the same dronish rhetoric, I would like to reveal my source - my mom. I am more than certain your mom told you the same expression, so allow me to refresh your memory, 'no matter where you go, there you are.'I never gave it much thought, until I moved overseas.Living in France is awkward. I feel as if I am walking a straight line with crooked shoes. But, as the above expression tells us, it is not living in France that is awkward, I am awkward.

AWKWARD!

Having mentioned this in previous posts, France has taught me how to look at things in a different light, even me, and what I have discovered (in me) is something that I am not pleased with and that makes me sad, angry, frustrated, and annoyed.I fixate on it to the point where it becomes a bad habit and destroys my self esteem, my relationships, my wants and dreams in life. It is a vicious cycle and I feel it becomes beyond my control, and I don't know how to just stop. How do you stop it?

Place de la Bourse - Bordeaux, France

This is where France comes in.Everywhere I turn, she sets the example everyday on how to behave, act, or just be, and I have boiled it down to this: She wants me to live my life as art.

Allow me to expand on this...

$5.00Challenge

Burger and Fries!!5 bucks could buy you a tasty greasy burger and fries.If you are anything like me, I would drown my fries in ketchup and inhale it, feeling like a fat zombie for about 4 hours afterwards! Sure... there is a time and a place for it, but are you really doing yourself justice? No, you are not. And if you said, yes, well whatever, continue on your path and good luck.

Picnic in the Park!

You can also take that 5 bucks and purchase your fixings for a picnic at your favorite spot in your city. Take your time, enjoy your surroundings, enjoy your food, enjoy your book or company! I can guarantee you will not feel like a fat zombie after your picnic!

So what are you waiting for?

Ask yourself how can you apply the Living Life as Art challenge to your life. Make it a game, if you wish! I did! Some examples?Explore your own city, visit a place you have been meaning to go and check out, host a potluck party, host a clothing exchange, have a yard sale, donate items you haven't used in 6 months, journal, scrapbook, get creative!!!!

I recently stumbled across this website that explains what I wish to express perfectly, and instead of stealing their philosophy, I would like for you to check out their website http://www.livinglifeasart.com/index.htmland with that I again say, thank you for reading. Until next time, godspeed!written on the French holiday of Mary's Assumption into the Heavens.

I recently rewatched Breakfast at Tiffanys starring the graceful Audrey Hepburn. She has been toiling my thoughts lately, more recently on Friday. Friday, August 10th happened to be my 2nd year anniversary in France and the same day, The Witches gathered! (my creative circle, which I renamed The Creative Coven, hence Witches!) We had a potluck pool party complete with champagne! It was fabulous! At one point, I tried on my friend's hat, and was told and I QUOTE - 'Ohhh, You look like Audrey Hepburn!'What a kind compliment! I blushed and said Thank you, but on the inside, I was jumping for joy!

With that in mind, I remembered a quote and found two others Audrey said, which made me rethink beauty and poise.

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”“People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.”

“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”

Beauty is as beauty does and she was/is beautiful! Rest in peace, Audrey and Thank you!

What is the definition of civilized? Is anyone really civilized? Afterall, we are just animals, just wild animals! Becoming accustomed to French culture has its difficulties. Especially since, I was born in the greatest country (propaganda there!) in the world, which was founded by outcasts, criminals, and puritians. GAW - I love America!Earlier in the month, I was invited to a friend's home for lunch. Lunch in France, lasts about 7 hours. C'est normale!Here is a typical itinerary: Noon - Everyone arrives around this time! Drinks and appetizers are served and we talk! We wait for the last minute guests to arrive before we 'get ready' for lunch.2:00pm - Lunch!! We EAT and DRINK well! There is usually a buffet of food served and each dish is more delicious than the previous! After lunch, the hostess and guests cleans up, while a digestif is served! A digestif is either cognac or eau d'vie, which does its job - help digest food! 4:00pm - A game such as badmitton or a walk around the neighborhood is usually taken to also help digest food! 5:30pm - coffee and dessert is served! 7:00pm - head home!

This lunch taught me a lot about how much I have changed! In the States, guests are treated like ROYALITY! (I will also say the same for the English as well) They do nothing, not even lift a finger, only wait to be served! Which is GREAT, yet after living overseas for 2 years, well, it no longer flies!

In France, THE HOSTESS IS QUEEN and SHE SHOULDN'T LIFT A FINGER! Bizarre, I know, but its just like that!

At the fabulous seven hour lunch, there were about 10 people, I was the only American, the rest were English or Scottish. I also noticed that NONE of the English ladies helped out, they did nothing but drank like fishes and ate like cows. Not that I am judging, but come on!

So, I have defined civilized as this: have common sense and common courtsey! Easier said than done at times! And if that is too complicated, just BE NICE and HELP OUT! Now, I just have to practice what I preach!

Today, I went to the Musee d'Aquitaine. The museum showcases the history of my region. I have been wanting to check out this museum for some time, however, as life goes, it was at the bottom of my list. Until today.

I already knew some brief history on my city, I just wanted to get some more. I guess, I'm American in that sense, I want MORE of EVERYTHING! I learned that this region was founded by Neaderthals and also discovered that they performed surgeries! How cool is that?! Cavemen performing surgery!Archeologists found a human skull with pieces missing, particually on the crown of the head, but saw and reported new growth plates that proved that the surgery had been successful!

This is one of my favorite pieces in the museum. The Venus with a Cornucopia.She is looking left, her hair flowing, but with no distint facial features. I love it! I didn't pay attention to the dates or that other important stuff, I just felt connected to it. The tablet is not very big, probably the size of a piece of paper, but she commands attention! The first part of the museum showcased the Neolithic era, then transitioned into Le Gaulois era, otherwise known as Celts, then the Roman empire, which a ruin of an ampitheatre still stands, just 15 minutes from my small apartment! The pictures on the bottom: Hercules in bronze. Palais Gallien. Rements from the Roman empire.

From the Roman era, we transition into the Christian era and works of art featuring saints and all that other Jesus stuff.

This is the rose window and it is HUGE and BEAUTIFUL! I was awe struck when I walked into the room that showcased this piece. Wow! Just Wow!

The museum tour ended with merchants and slaves. Bordeaux, being a port city, made a lot of its money on trade and slavery. The city flourished! Finally, slavery was outlawed, so Bordeaux reinvented herself again, but this time with wine! I like Bordeaux. Her history is blackened, but so much fun! I lived in Las Vegas, so it reminds me a little of home. Las Vegas was created by making sin -- fun! Bordeaux did the same, only 'classy!' hahahahhahaha! Viva La France!

Parlez vous français?

As I attempt to teach English to these poor Frenchies, I have noticed my French AND English has improved. I am in no means fluent, however I can hold my own. Depends though. Some days I am able to speak as The Sun King himself, other days, I speak like a paysant! I have come to the realization that I will probably never be fluent, but it doesn't keep me from trying. So, I wanted to share with you some sayings and expressions that I use practically every day! ça va- (sah vah)This expression has a variety of meanings, used in questions and as a response. Example - How are you? Good Everything ok? Everything is goodIt's ok? Yes, fine.How is it going? It's going.si'l vous plaît - (see vooh play)It literally translates to 'if you please.' You can't get very far without saying these magic words and if you forget, there will be someone to remind you! Merci It means thank you. Again, if you forget to say it, there will be someone to remind you.oh la vache! - oh la vashIt literally means, Oh The Cow! It has several meanings ranging from 'Oh my goodness!' to 'Wow! You are really dumb!' That is enough for today. You can have at least an hour conversation with a French person using any of these words!

I had the most incredible dream last night.I dreamed that I was living back in Texas with this tall drink of water to the left. It took place in a large white kitchen with black granite countertops. We were getting ready to leave for work and asked me to run an errand for him, to which I said, yes, and notioned for him to write it down. He tilted his head back in approval and proceeded to write it down in our TO DO notebook on the counter.Life was perfect in this perfect moment. Alas, it was only a dream.His name is Jason Momoa, Hawaiian, and husband of Lisa Bonet, of The Cosby Show. I first saw him in the HBO TV series, Game of Thrones. He played a horse warrior, Kahl Drogo.

CURRENT FAVORITE TV SHOWS:Game of Thrones

This show is brilliant, well written, BRAVO! Please watch it. It reminds me of a chess game. The strategy, the interwoven stories, and the magic keeps me wanting more!

The Big Bang Theory I love this sweet, endearing show.The character development and situations, hilarious! I was a fan of Roseanne growing up, so seeing the same actors from my childhood, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

The NewsroomWell written show, except with some of the female characters. They border on the verge of a nervous breakdown, not my idea of any executive producer, much less one at the top of HER game.Still, my favorite character is Sam Waterson, who plays a Don Hewitt news directior to perfection. Also, the surprise of Jane Fonda and her strong presence that rounds out this great show!

Bonjour et Bienvenue!

I'm Jennifer... Thank you for stopping by for a spell!

I am a 40-something year old American woman. Born in Texas, raised in Las Vegas!

Frenchified for Life

is a fabulous little lifestyle blog about truly embracing French life!

​My intent is to simply inspire you to create something unique and beautiful in your everyday life. The French have this wonderful and annoying habit of seeing the world through rose colored glasses, might as well learn something from them!

That said, I lift my glass to you!

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By the way, I mention the name Cachou (or The Cash) a lot, I'm referring to her...